PROMPT: Most of you have been teaching for several weeks. Patterns are probably beginning to emerge and classroom routines are probably making you feel more comfortable than you were when you started. Can you still see the teacher that you started this semester wanting to be? Are you satisfied that you're actually teaching or are you concerned that you may be getting immersed in playing the "game of school?" Assess your teaching so far. What are you doing well, and what do you know you need to work on? What evidence are you seeing for both your successes and difficulties? What are you determined to change and why?
Student Teaching Reflection - Mid-semester (End of Middle School Placement)
As I reflect on my student teaching experiences so far, the shy insecure teacher seems to have dissipated and a new teacher now stands in front of the class. I am more confident with my students merely for the fact that I know them much better. I understand some of their likes, dislikes, and what teaching methods work best and what teaching methods do not work with them. Also, finally knowing all of their names is helpful too! Things that I have learned from my student teaching so far are as follows:
Organization is critical to sanity.
Practicing your lessons and labs is important.
You can never be too prepared.
Always take 5 minutes per day to reflect on what work well and what didn't.
It is important to find a way to decompress. Find a happy place.
Learn to laugh at yourself is a critical skill.
You will make mistakes and that's ok, but it is important to learn from them.
I feel that my students are getting most of what I am teaching them. Not only am I teaching them science, but organizational skills, study skills and responsibility. Things that I think I am doing well are giving the students some form of formative assessment each class and interacting with the students in an easy going, but professional manner. I feel that a lot of students are playing the game of school. Some students rarely give me any effort unless they know they will receive a grade for their work. One way that I could attempt to fix this is to make some sort of connection with what we are learning to their lives. The lessons that I did this, seemed to be much more engaging for the students. I know that every lesson I teach will not be picture perfect, but at least I know that their is a standard of success that I should be reaching for. I know that I am far from being the perfect teacher that I envisioned myself to be, but student teaching is just that, student teachers making imperfect decisions and learning from their mistakes.
In one week, I will start the whole process over at my high school placement. It will be much different because the school itself is much bigger. In the beginning I expect the same adjustment period of getting to know the students and what works for them. I think the adjustment time will be shorter, since I feel somewhat more confident about my teaching after actually having the experience in front of the class. Things that I might do differently would be to make more real world connections, become better organized, assign less paperwork (yet still have some form of formative assessment each class), and try to do more hands on activities.
Student Teaching Reflection - Mid-semester (End of Middle School Placement)
As I reflect on my student teaching experiences so far, the shy insecure teacher seems to have dissipated and a new teacher now stands in front of the class. I am more confident with my students merely for the fact that I know them much better. I understand some of their likes, dislikes, and what teaching methods work best and what teaching methods do not work with them. Also, finally knowing all of their names is helpful too! Things that I have learned from my student teaching so far are as follows:I feel that my students are getting most of what I am teaching them. Not only am I teaching them science, but organizational skills, study skills and responsibility. Things that I think I am doing well are giving the students some form of formative assessment each class and interacting with the students in an easy going, but professional manner. I feel that a lot of students are playing the game of school. Some students rarely give me any effort unless they know they will receive a grade for their work. One way that I could attempt to fix this is to make some sort of connection with what we are learning to their lives. The lessons that I did this, seemed to be much more engaging for the students. I know that every lesson I teach will not be picture perfect, but at least I know that their is a standard of success that I should be reaching for. I know that I am far from being the perfect teacher that I envisioned myself to be, but student teaching is just that, student teachers making imperfect decisions and learning from their mistakes.
In one week, I will start the whole process over at my high school placement. It will be much different because the school itself is much bigger. In the beginning I expect the same adjustment period of getting to know the students and what works for them. I think the adjustment time will be shorter, since I feel somewhat more confident about my teaching after actually having the experience in front of the class. Things that I might do differently would be to make more real world connections, become better organized, assign less paperwork (yet still have some form of formative assessment each class), and try to do more hands on activities.